Arizona’s first African American mayor, former Chandler Mayor Coy Payne, has died

Former Chandler Mayor Coy Payne, the first African American mayor in Chandler and in Arizona, has died. He was 90. Payne died on Sunday, according to a Facebook post from a family member announcing his death. He served on the Chandler City Council from 1982 to 1990 and as mayor from 1990 to 1994. A longtime Chandler resident and community activist, Payne helped create the city’s housing authority and oversaw the expansion of parks and recreation programs. He was known for his roles as a consensus-builder and facilitator and helped…

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